Parasocial relationships are one-sided connections that individuals form with media figures, such as celebrities, YouTubers, or characters from TV shows. These relationships often develop through repeated exposure to the media figure's content, leading fans to feel a sense of intimacy and familiarity, even though the media figure is unaware of their existence. While parasocial relationships can provide comfort and companionship, they differ from real-life relationships because they lack mutual interaction. Fans may feel emotionally invested, but the connection is not reciprocated, which can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness or disappointment when reality sets in.